Posted under
Jewelry by Joyce on March 26th, 2007 6:59 pm
By Sam Serio
Jewelry, whether fine or costume, has been a part of human
culture since the earliest times. People wear jewelry to
satisfy their vanity, to indulge their love for beautiful
things, and to look good to others. Vintage costume jewelry
fulfills all these criteria, but at a fraction of the cost of
real or fine jewelry. It is an inexpensive alternative that
does not sacrifice taste as well as style.
Vintage costume jewelry may be less expensive, but good quality
ones are never seen as cheap. They are less costly because they
are not made from precious gems. Designers of vintage costume
jewelry use a variety of materials from cut glass, beads,
semi-precious gems, faux gems — even plastic! These pieces
were created and released since the start of the Victorian era
up to the 1960s. Vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s and
1950s are especially creative and eye-catching, since the
designers of the era had to produce relatively inexpensive yet
fashionable items that men and women could afford and
appreciate during the war and post-war era.
Some of the most popular designers of vintage costume jewelry
were fashion guru Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miriam
Haskell. Many of Schiaparelli’s bright and attractive creations
were made from multi-colored rhinestones. Haskell, in her finely
detailed work, almost always paid tribute to nature’s beauty and
bounty. Chanel, the favorite of many celebrities, transformed
the way costume jewelry was worn in the 1920s. Other pieces of
vintage costume jewelry were made from materials that included
beads, corals, faux pearls, and Bakelite — a kind of polymeric
plastic.
Vintage costume jewelry continues to be very much in vogue
today, and it has inspired many designers to create ‘real’
pieces made from precious gems and metals. At the 2005 Academy
Awards, the jewelry that many women celebrities wore were
oversized and sparkly, a tribute to the jewelry designs of the
1940s. Stars such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Julia Roberts
are not only collectors of vintage costume jewelry and dress
accessories; they actually wear them in public, too.
A person does not have to be a celebrity to appreciate vintage
costume jewelry. Their uniqueness, aesthetic value and superb
craftsmanship make them popular collectible items, and with
proper care, they can be a good investment, too, since serious
collectors will pay top dollar for vintage costume jewelry that
is in mint condition. But more than that, the experience of
owning and wearing a thing of beauty that comes from a bygone
era is simply priceless.
About the Author: Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician
and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more
information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you
to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your
FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being
Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals
almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and
gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at
www.morninglightjewelry.com.
Source: www.isnare.com
By Kacy Carr
Fashion - Why do women and beauty products work well together,
the answer to that is quite simple, cosmetics make you look
beautiful and women want to be beautiful so there you have it -
a match made in heaven - the perfect duo. Today`s fashion and
latest shades in lipstick is no guarantee to looking beautiful
if you are not feeling good about yourself.
It`s a funny old world - the fashion world. Take those glamour
models that grace the catwalk with the latest in fashion design
- only to go and mess the entire look of the whole outfit with
an expression of depression along with a ridiculous unbalanced
walk like that of a woman who has just downed 10 pints of lager
- now where is the beauty in that I ask you.
Remember never to imitate the pose of a model on a night out
with friends because that friendship may just cease and heaven
forbid if you are looking for a date with the opposite sex -
then the chances of that happening are zilch. If you want to
impress then it is all down to how you dress. You will always
be at your best if you feel good. A smile radiates beauty so
regardless of what the fashion it is you adorn - be sure to
smile and that is half of the battle won in feeling good and
looking beautiful
Why is it you wear the same colours when you go out? Why is it
you feel that a certain colour is not ideally suited to your
complexion even though it is in fashion? Well now is the time
to change all that. Todays fashionable colours are just oozing
to expel your beauty within. Positive results are guaranteed
after you have boosted your confidence into looking beautiful
with the latest in fashion styles and colours.
For example if you are not partial to the colour green or
orange up next to the skin, well that is fine, but, at the time
you decided this colour was not for you, did you ever give it a
minutes thought that it was just that particular shade of green
that you were not comfortable with. Remember there are 40 shades
of green, now do you get my drift. Now as for orange - a colour
that does need to be given much thought behind for a person`s
skin tone - but if you like orange then dress it up with
accessories to compliment the shade itself - this will work
wonders.
Just by changing the shade of one particular colour and style
of dress can be the start of finding the real beauty within.
Your inner beauty may have lain static for far to long all
because you took for granted that the first bright lime green
luminous blouse you ever tried on was not for you, therefore
leaving you resisting future fashion garments in green, But did
you ever consider replacing that lime green blouse for pretty
cowl neck musky jade shade.. Also a change of hairstyle can
alter your whole image along with the colour that you banished
from the wardrobe.
It is sad - but there are many women who are confused and
believe that a certain colour does them no justice - when at
the end of the day it may have been their choice in the shade.
About the Author: Essential beauty advice at
www.spotthepimple.com Women`s health and cosmetic
concerns.
Source: www.isnare.com
Posted under
Jewelry by Joyce on March 22nd, 2007 6:30 pm
Hip Hop fashion in the 80’s and 90’s revealed a new approach to style and dress. It was the beginning of a tidal wave fashion influence still felt today. Sparked by rap artists experimenting with a new art form, Hip Hop fashion became an expression of the Hip Hop culture manifesting in ever aspect of dress. Clothes, shoes and jewelry norms were shattered as more music fans converted to the Hip Hop culture embracing the fresh innovative style of Hip Hop fashion. Today, we experience Hip Hop differently as it is dominated by mainstream corporate commercialization. Nevertheless the organic evolution of Hip Hop fashion continues its spread through the streets, inspiring millions to seek out Hip Hop.
The Hip Hop Fashion evolution started in the early 80’s. Men were sporting Jheri curls, a shiny curly afro look, often clowned for its greasy tendencies. Hi-top fades soon took over as men felt proud to prune their afros into box like structures. Kangol hats, which resemble a standard hat but with top pushed down, were in. Afro-centrism was the wisdom of the day represented by red, black and green clothing sported by artists like Public Enemy.
Transitioning into the 90’s, band like Kris Kross began to affect Hip Hop fashion spawning a new era of colorful baggy clothing. Kids began wearing red, yellow and green clothing striped like Christmas candy canes. During this time, Hip Hop fashion experienced a new genre of artists known as gangsta rappers. They sparked a west coast phenomenon of rap music and Hip Hop fashion. Gangsta rappers wore khaki pants and white t-shirts keeping things “gangsta” as they referred to it. Today, Hip Hop fashion is big business. White kids in the suburbs tilt their hats in honor of Hip Hop. Brands like Phat Farm, Sean John and Rocawear make hundreds of millions of dollars dealing in mainstream Hip Hop fashion.
Hip Hop has also influenced shoe design. In the 80’s groups like Run DMC popularized the use of sneakers. Specifically, Adidas white sneakers were worn with bulging thick white laces. In the 90’s, Timberland boots dominated Hip Hop fashion on the east coast and Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars were most popular on the west coast. Timberland’s are still worn in modern times but have transcended Hip Hop fashion into a typical mainstream shoe brand. Converse is also still favored by gangsta rappers such as Snoop Dog. Today, however, rappers have their own shoes. The Game and 50 Cent are examples of artists today who are selling original designs in shoe wear manufactured by companies they either fully or partially own.
Hip Hop fashion has always included <a href=“http://www.kingice.com“>iced out bling bling jewelry</a>. Back in the day thick yellow gold rope chains were donned by the likes of LL Cool J and Big Daddy Kane. The more conscientious Hip Hop fan might sport an Africa necklace adorning the red, black and green in remembrance of his brothas and sistas in America and Africa. The 90’s came along and so did high end platinum. Sean “Puffy” Combs, Biggy Smalls and Jay-Z made sure you knew that they were sporting platinum, the most expensive of all precious metals. Today, platinum and white gold are highly popular along with diamonds, otherwise known as ice. Bling cross pendants, bullet chain and iced out bling bracelets drip from the bodies of our favorite artists.
Hip Hop fashion continues to influence mainstream fashion in general. The market share of Hip Hop orientated fashion companies continues to grow. As long as interest in Hip Hop music and culture continues, so too will the desire for Hip Hop fashion.
Derek Belay holds a BA in English Literature from Cal State Pomona. He writes part time primarily as a hobby. He currently works as a marketing manager for Kingice.com that specializes in <a href=“http://www.kingice.com“>Hip Hop Bling jewelry</a>.
